Chapman Sports Broadcast Network’s game-changing coverage: Division III players share impact, excellence
Student athletes spoke with The Panther about their thoughts on the impact of the Chapman Sports Broadcast Network (CSBN). Photos by LISA WONG, Video & Podcast Editor
The Chapman Sports Broadcast Network (CSBN) is the hidden gem of Chapman. CSBN is a student-run club that broadcasts a multi-camera show with commentators, sideline reporters and live player interviews.
Since 2014, the club says they have been able to gather an estimated $2 million worth of equipment to achieve an ESPN level of production. Nathaniel Rudolph, a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism and documentary, feels a sense of accomplishment coming up on the club’s 10th anniversary.
"In 2014, we were executing only a handful of games with limited resources,” said Rudolph, who serves as the club’s branding and marketing coordinator. “Now, we broadcast over 25 games a year with our polished production quality." Since Chapman is in Division III (DIII), athletes only get coverage from small networks. CSBN has been able to give players high-quality coverage, and athletes across Chapman's community appreciate what CSBN has done for them.
Kaimana Newman, a freshman film and television major, has a unique perspective on CSBN as a player and member of the club.
“Some components of their broadcast — from stat reports to gal replays to live interviews with coaches — is something I only imagined people doing at big companies like ESPN,” Newman said. “However, if there's one thing you'll notice from working on a broadcast with them, (it) is how passionate everyone is for what they do and how much they want to see those around them succeed, which is why I believe they're able to put out such a high quality production."
Having access to past broadcasts has been able to attract more players to Chapman. Athletes looking to commit to universities are able to see what their future would be like playing at Chapman through CSBN.
"As a student-athlete myself, I remember being curious about Chapman's soccer team before I decided to come here, and being able to watch a few of their games online helped to reassure me about my decision to attend Chapman," Newman said.
Patrick Sebree, a freshman business administration major who is a midfielder for the university’s men’s lacrosse team, talked to The Panther about his thoughts on CSBN. Chapman’s men’s lacrosse is a club team that competes at the Division I level. Therefore, they need coverage for their games, and CSBN covers it.
"I think (CSBN) do(es) a fantastic job,” Sebree said. “When looking back at the broadcasts, they are very professional and compare to ESPN with their pre-game breakdowns, sideline reporters, instant replays and much more."
CSBN not only offers live broadcasts for families, but it also plays a significant role in recruiting. Prospective athletes can assess if Chapman is a fitting DIII school for them by reviewing past broadcasts posted on YouTube or on the SCIAC Network. Ian Jordan, a freshman undecided major on the men’s tennis team, strongly believes in the effectiveness of CSBN within recruitment.
“This kind of professionalism to the DIII level immensely helps with recruiting,” Jordan said. “It gives the possible incoming athletes something to look forward to, and (that) is something that some other schools might not do for their sport, increasing the chance of Chapman landing more high-level athletes and increasing the school team's chances of being successful.”
More and more Chapman athletes are joining CSBN, giving those players more opportunities to learn about career paths in the sports industry, including CSBN president Emily Cho. A junior majoring in broadcast journalism and documentary, Cho reflected on this opportunity:
"This is a way for (the teams) to be covered in feature packages and their games,” said Cho, who plays on the women’s golf team. “Families from all over the world can watch our broadcasts if they're not able to come watch their player compete in person."